Feb 4, 2010

Rnd 2: Join with sc in any corner, ch 3, sc in same corner, (ch 2, sc in next ch-1 sp) across to next corner, (sc, ch 3, sc) in corner; repeat from * around ending last repeat at first corner, join with sl st in first sc. Fasten off.

Rnd 3: Repeat rnd 1.

Rnd 4: Repeat rnd 2.

Rnd 5: Join with sc in second ch-sp before any corner, * (dc, ch 1, dc, ch 1, dc) in ch-sp before corner--shell made, shell in corner, shell in ch-sp after corner, (sc in next ch-sp, shell in next sp) across to corner, skipping one ch-sp if needed to make sure shell falls in ch-sp before corner; repeat from * around ending at first sc, join with sl st in first sc. Fasten off.

Feb 3, 2010

I've been thinking-- after all your work on your afghan, it's hardly fair of me to dole out the border instructions one row at a time without a photo of the whole border. So tomorrow, we are hoping it will not rain, and David and I can get outside and photograph my border so you can see what I've done. I'll give you instructions for all rows--and this way, you can decide if you want to do as I've done, or something different.

Jan 28, 2010

This method simulates a braid join and is accomplished by crocheting pre-edged blocks together. It's fast and easy but uses more yarn and creates a ridge on the back between squares.

Step 1: Edge each square according to instructions for Step 1 of Flat Braid Join.

Step 2: Using matching or contrasting color, hold two squares right sides together matching up corners. Working through both thicknesses, join with sc in first corner, (ch 3, sc in next ch-3 sp) across ending with sc in corner. Pick up next two squares and continue with sc in first corner, (ch 3, sc in next ch-3 sp) across. Squares can be joined in long strips or just two at a time, as you prefer.

This method is very similar to the flat braid join, except you do not drop lp from hook and pick it up again. This is faster and easier but does not give the twisted look of the flat braid join. Still, pretty and very useful. I've used this method way more than the flat braid join over the years, but now I find myself using the flat braid join more for the little extra beauty it gives, especially on special projects.
Work the scallop join just like the flat braid join, except on flat braid join where you (ch 2, drop lp from hook, insert hook in next ch-sp on first block, pick up lp, ch 1, sc in next ch-sp on second block), substitute this:
(Ch 1, sl st in next ch-sp on first block, ch 1, sc in next ch-sp on second block)
Here's how it looks:

Step 1: To edge the first block, join with sc in any corner, ch 3, sc in same sp, (ch 3, sc in next ch-sp) around with (sc, ch 3, sc) in each corner ch-sp, join. Fasten off.

Step 2: Join with sc in ch-sp below top left corner, and work edging rnd same as step 1 around left edge, bottom edge and right edge to top right corner. Sc in top right corner, ch 2, remove hook from lp, insert hook in bottom right corner of first block, pick up dropped lp, ch 1, sc in same corner on second block.

Step 3: * Ch 2, remove hook from lp, insert hook in next ch-sp on bottom edge of first block, pick up dropped lp, ch 1, sc in next ch-sp on top edge of second block. Repeat from * across to corner; repeat in corner to be sure you connect corner to corner and have two sc in each corner.

Step 4: Ch 3 and join to finish round. Fasten off.

Step 5: Add subsequent blocks in the same manner, working the flat braid join on as many sides as needed.

Jan 27, 2010

There's one more thing I want to show you as you finalize arrangement of your blocks. I know some of you wanted to make an afghan larger than the normal afghan size, and I want to give you a couple of arrangements to accomplish that.
I've made some little square blocks for use in these arrangements -- for the square block, just start in the same manner as making the little rectangles, and stop when they're square. Edging all the way around is the same as the short size of the rectangle. So, in addition to making a little pillow cover, as I'm going to do with my small blocks, these little squares can go between ends of rectangles in the following arrangements. As you can see, the first arrangement is simply the addition of rectangles and the little squares all around our original layout. The second arrangement is more like a quilt-setting with sashing and corner blocks around each large square.
Measure carefully when planning your layout. My afghan, joined in the original arrangement and with about 2 1/2 inches width of border added all around, is about 50 x 70. The arrangements below will be larger.

I'll also use these little blocks to demonstrate three methods of joining I'd recommend in tomorrow's post.

Row 3: Ch 1, sc in top of first cl, (ch 2, dc in next sc, ch 2, sc in top of next cl) across, turn.
Rows 4-16 or until piece is square, or almost square: Repeat rows 2-3 ending with row 2.
At end of last row, fasten off.

To make this stitch pattern any size, begin with ch multiple of 6 plus 2.

Row 3: Ch 1, sc in first dc, (ch 1, dc in next ch-2 sp, fpdc around next dc, dc in next ch-2 sp, ch 1, sc in next dc) across, turn.
Rows 4-16 or until piece is square, or almost square: Repeat rows 2-3 ending with row 2.
At end of last row, fasten off.

To make this stitch pattern any size, begin with ch multiple of 6 plus 2.

Jan 21, 2010

Note: This stitch pattern is dense. Mine worked up about an inch larger than the others when worked with the same size hook--this is enough so that you may wish to make this with one size smaller hook.

Most of the small size variations in these squares are of no consequence to this design. Once the edgings are on and everything is joined together, it all works out fine and the small size variations disappear. Just FYI-- my square #15 is an inch wider than the others and I used it in my afghan anyway, so when you see my finished afghan you'll be able to see that the size difference is not discernable in final result. However, I wanted to give you a heads up to the size difference in case you wanted to use a smaller hook.

Row 1: Ch 32, sc in second ch from hook, (skip next 2 ch, 5 dc in next ch--shell made, skip next 2 ch, sc in next ch), across, turn.

Row 2: Ch 3, 2 dc in same st, (sc in center dc of first shell, 5 dc in next sc) across ending with 3 dc in last sc, turn.

Row 3: Ch 1, sc in first dc, (5 dc in next sc, sc in center dc of next shell) across ending with sc in last dc, turn.
Rows 4-16 or until piece is square, or almost square: Repeat rows 2-3.
At end of last row, fasten off.

To make this stitch pattern any size, begin with ch multiple of 6 plus 2.

Jan 16, 2010

You may wish to block your motifs before doing the flat braid join. It's not required, but some people like to do so. Man-made yarns don't generally need much blocking, if any, but wool yarns or other natural fibers may need a bit more. My personal preference is to complete the afghan, then give it a nice steaming on a bed, smoothing all the seams and joinings out nicely and relaxing the stitch patterns a bit.
My favorite method is steam blocking. For straight-sided pieces, I use a piece of large gingham-check fabric to line everything up, and using rustproof pins, pin the crochet to a padded surface such as the ironing board cover or a towel on a counter. For large items, I use the bed.
Set the iron to steam, and if you have an iron that features bursts of steam, so much the better, but either way, use the iron to allow the steam to penetrate the crochet fibers without actually touching the iron to the crochet. If you prefer, cover the crochet with a pressing cloth just to be sure.
I then smooth the crochet with my hands until it all looks symmetrical and straight, adding more steam if needed, then let the crochet dry completely before removing.

Jan 14, 2010

This afghan will be made of 18 large squares and 12 rectangles in this arrangement:

We'll crochet a final round around each block and join everything together. I'll be showing you exactly how. My colors are all scrappy, but I'll be doing the final joining round in red. Thennnn, we'll add a pretty border!

Variations on a Theme Mystery Afghan CAL

Flickr Group Photos

About Me

Hello! I am a crochet designer who loves all things yarn, hooks and needles. I live and make things daily in a tiny house in the Texas hill country with my husband and assorted pets. Thanks for visiting!